The central theme of the 2/1 GF system
is that Responder often must define the auction as
game-forcing BEFORE the pair has established a fit.
The auction 1S:2D:2S:3D:3S can be dropped in SAYC,
but not in 2/1 GF, when Opener might have 21 points!
The only way to deal with this problem is to devalue
any marginal 13-point hand that that lacks support
for Opener's suit.
S- x H- Jxx D- AQxx C- AQxxx
Opposite 1S, one might prefer 1NT to 2C.
A second challenge for 2/1 GF pairs is
to limit one of the hands so as to stop short of
unmakeable slams. New 2/1 GF pairs have to
concentrate their efforts on finding ways to limit
their hands as early as possible in game-forcing
auctions. One of the best tools for accomplishing
this is stringent use of the Principles of Fast
and Slow Arrival. After 1S:2C:2D a rebid of 2S
will show 16+ points, while 3S will limit Responder
to 13-15 points. Similarly, 1S:2C:2S:3S shows 16+
points, while 1S:2C:2S:4S is a signoff with 13-15.
This jump in partner's suit, then, is called a
"necessary" jump, since we need it to distinguish
the weak from the strong raise of Opener's suit.
Jumps rebids in Responder's own minor
suit (e.g. 1H:2C:2H:4C) show a solid suit, 19-21
points and command partner to begin cuebidding en
route to a slam. The opposite is true if Responder
jumps in Hearts. 1S:2H:2S:4H is a sign-off with
13-15 points, while rebidding the Hearts up to 4H
(e.g. 1S:2H:2S:3H:any:4H) shows 16-18 points,
suggesting a slam.
Jumps in NEW suits are cuebids, showing
19-21 points, confirming partner's last bid suit
as trumps, and commanding partner to cuebid. This
may be Opener (1S:2D:4C) or Responder (1S:2C:2H:4D).
With 13-15, we will often raise directly to game
(e.g. 1S:2H:4H or 1S:2C:2H:4H). Holding 16-18
points, we will raise simply (1S:2D:3D or 1S:2C:2H:3H)
so as to leave room for partner to cuebid if interested
in slam. It follows that partner can sign of in game
(1S:2D:3D:3NT or 1S:2C:2H:3H:4H) if disinterested.
Questions
1. What do you bid as Responder after 1S:2H:2S?
a. S- Kxx H- AQJxx D- Qx C- Qxx
b. S- Kxx H- AKJxx D- xx C- AKx
2. What do you bid as Opener after 1S:2H:2NT:3H?
a. S- KQJxx H- xx D- AJx C- Qxx
b. S- Axxxx H- Kx D- KQx C- Axx
Rebids Without a Fit
Having forced game with a 2-over-1 response,
Responder will often rebid 2NT as a probe. This
allows Opener to complete a description of hir hand
via a natural rebid. If Opener is flat relative to
previous bidding, Opener will often rebid quantitatively
in No Trump. 1S:2C:2D:2NT:3NT suggests 5-2-4-2
distribution and 13-16 points, while 4NT would suggest
17-21 points.
With a more distributional hand, Opener can
cite a reason for eschewing No Trump. For example,
a delayed raise of Responder's minor (1S:2D:2S:2NT:3D)
will show the 13-15 point hand, since with 16-18
Opener would have raised diamonds immediately
(1S:2D:3D). Limiting Opener's hand when we have a
MINOR suit fit is particularly important, since we
may need to stop in 3NT whenever Responder has less
than 19 points.
Opener: S- KQxxx H- AQ D- Qxxx C- xx
Responder: S- Jx H- Jxx D- AKxxx C- AJx
1S - 13-21, 5+ Spades.
2D - 13+ points, 2/1 GF.
2S - Temporizing bid. 5+ Spades.
2NT - No Spade fit, probing.
3D - 13-15 points, Diamond support.
3S - No Heart guard to show.
3NT - Heart stopper.
Opener can also "pattern out" by bidding
a 3-card "residue" suit here. 1H:2C:2D:2NT:3S would
show a 3-5-4-1 hand. This approach may help the
partnership find a minor suit game when 3NT will fail.
Opener: S- AKxxx H- x D- QJxx C- Qxx
Responder: S- x H- Qxx D- K10xx C- AKJxx
1S 2C - 2/1 GF response.
2D 2NT - "Tell me more."
3C - 5-1-4-3 or 5-0-4-4. Responder
will now go to 5D, not 3NT.
Responder will often use the 2NT rebid INSTEAD
of introducing a new minor suit at the 3-level when
minimal. After 1S:2H:2S, a 3D rebid will tend to show
16+ points or a shapely 5-5 red 2-suiter. Responder
is, in effect, authorizing a 4D raise even if Opener
is minimal.
Opener will often bid the 4th suit at the
3-level to show a 13-15 point hand with support for
Responder's last bid minor suit. 1S:2H:2S:3C:3D, then,
suggests 4 Clubs and 13-15 points; with 16+ points,
Opener can raise to 4C en route to a possible 6C slam.
Questions
1. What do you bid as Opener after 1H:2C:2D:2NT?
a. S- AJx H- AK9xx D- AJ10x C- x
b. S- Qxx H- AQJxx D- KJ10x C- x
c. S- Kx H- KQJ10x D- Axxx C- xx
d. S- Kx H- AQJ10x D- KJ10x C- Kx
Showing Opener's Minor
If Responder makes a 2-over-1 response, Opener will always introduce a new 4+card suit if it is LOWER RANKED than Opener's first bid suit. 1S:2C:2S, then, promises an unbalanced hand and DENIES a 4+card red suit. With 6-4 in the majors, then, Opener will rebid 2H, not 2S, after 1S:2C or 1S:2D. LATER, Opener will rebid the Spades to show the 6-4 2-suiter. In this way, after 1S:2D:2S, any Heart rebid by Opener will be an "Impossible Major" bid. Opener will often use an "Impossible Major" suit bid to support Partner's minor. 1S:2C:2S:3C:3H, then, suggests a minimum hand with some Club support. Indeed, 1S:2C:2S:3C:3D would be an "Impossible Minor". Opener, then, will be bidding hir better red suit in this case. Change the scenario to 1S:2D:2S:3D, though, and only 3H is available as a supporting gesture. In the event of 1S:2D:2S:3C a 3H rebid will support Clubs, since 3D is available as a natural rebid supporting Diamonds.
TOOBAD and NOTA
One of the distinguishing features of 2/1K is
the reliance on Opener rebidding hir major (e.g. 1S:2D:2S)
to imply a minimum--even with good support for Responder's
suit. In essence, then, the 2-over-1 response to a major
suit opening is treated in much the same way as Reverse
Drury, with Opener rebidding hir major to show a minimum.
This gives rise to the albeit oversimplifying acronym
Two Over One Bids Are (Reverse) Drury.
S- 65432 H- Ax D- Kx C- AQxx
After 1S:2C rebid 2S, not 3C.
If, after the rebid of a major, Responder is
still interested in knowing more, Responder will take
things slowly with a 2NT rebid. This allows Opener to
disclose any support for Responder's suit if Opener has
it. After, say, 1S:2D:2S:2NT:3D, Responder will know
that Opener has a MINIMUM hand with 4-card Diamond
support and 5+ Spades. Other rebids over 1S:2D:2S:2NT
are natural (given that 2S denied 5-3-3-2 types) except
one:
3NT = 6-3-2-2 type, doubleton in Responder's suit.
3C = 4 Clubs, minimum.
3D = 4+ Diamonds, minimum.
3S = 6-3-3-1-ish, short in Responder's suit.
3H = None Of The Above. 6 Spades & 3 Diamonds.
With all other hand types eliminated, "None
Of The Above" (i.e. "NOTA") here will mean a hand with
6+ Spades and 3 cards in Responder's suit. After a 2C
response to a major suit opening there will be two
NOTA bids. For example, after 1S:2C:2S:2NT we'll see:
3NT = 6-3-2-2 type, doubleton in Responder's suit.
3C = 4 Clubs, minimum.
3S = 6-3-3-1 type, short in Responder's suit.
3D or 3H = None Of The Above.
Here again, the NOTA's show 3-card support for
Responder's suit and a 6+card major. Given TWO choices,
though, Opener will bid hir longer/stronger of the two
unbid suits.
S- AKxxxx H- xxx D- x C- AJx
After 1S:2C:2S:2NT rebid 3H.
S- AJ10xxx H- xx D- Qx C- KQJ
After 1S:2C:2S:2NT bid 3D.
Remember: the 2S rebid in the above examples
DENIED 4 Diamonds or 4 Hearts.
In the case of a Heart opening bid, there
remains the possibility of a 4-5 major 2-suiter. For
this reason, 3S over 2NT is required to show these
hands, and is NOT a NOTA bid. After 1H:2C:2H:2NT we
may see:
3NT = 6-3-2-2 type, doubleton in Clubs.
3C = 4+ Clubs, minimum.
3H = 6 Hearts, perhaps 4S, 0-2 Clubs.
3S = 4-5 in the majors.
3D = None of the above. Hence, 6 Hearts, 3 Clubs.
After 1H:2D:2H:2NT, there is no NOTA. Hence,
we will see:
3NT = 6-3-2-2 type, doubleton in Diamonds.
3C = 4+ Clubs, minimum.
3D = 3+ Diamonds, minimum. 9+ red suit cards.
3H = 6+ Hearts, short in Diamonds.
3S = 4-5 in the majors, 0-2 Diamonds.
Questions
1. Playing 2/1-K with TOOBAD and NOTA, what do
you rebid as Opener after 1H:2D:2H:2NT with:
a. S- Ax H- KQ10xx D- QJxx C- xx
b. S- KQx H- Qxxxxx D- Ax C- Kx
c. S- x H- AQJxxx D- Axx C- Jxx
d. S- Axx H- AQJxxx D- x C- Qxx
No Trump Rebids
by Opener After a 2-Over-1
After a MAJOR suit opening bid fetches a
2-over-1 response, 2NT (13-16) and 3NT (17-19) will
handle all 5-3-3-2 type hands. After 1S:2H, these
No Trump Rebids will show 5-2-3-3 specifically; with
3-card Heart support we will raise to 3H (16-19) or
4H (13-15) with the 5-3-3-2 types.
Things are slightly more difficult after
1D:2C. Here, there is a real possibility of a 4-4
fit in a major. Therefore, 1D:2C:3NT is not useful
to show 17-19 point hands; it would make a 4-4 fit
in a major difficult to find. For this reason, ALL
flat hands other than the 18-19 point 3=3=5=2 hand
will rebid 2NT after 1D:2C.
If Responder rebids a major, as with the
auctions 1D:2C:2NT:3H or 1D:2C:2NT:3S, weaker No
Trump type hands will bid game in 3NT or the
major (with 4 card support). Stronger ones will
cuebid, support Responder's minor suit or make a
QUANTITATIVE 4NT rebid.
S- AQx H- Axx D- KQxxx C- Kx
After 1D:2C:2NT:3H rebid 4NT, inviting 6NT.
Discussion Points
1. Do you cuebid first round controls first, or
cuebid first and second round controls
indescriminately during the first round of
cuebids.
2/1-Kaltica = 1st and 2nd round controls
2/1-Spectrum = 1st and 2nd round controls
2/1-Shep = 1st and 2nd round controls
2. What does an "unnecessary jump" show? For
example, would 1S:2D:2S:4C be a cuebid of
a control, a shortness or a profound 2-suiter?
2/1-Kaltica = 1st or 2nd round controls
2/1-Spectrum = 1st or 2nd round controls
2/1-Shep = 1st or 2nd round controls
3. What is the meaning of 1S:2D:2S:2NT:3H? Is it
a NOTA showing six Spades and 3+ Diamonds OR
is it natural, 6-4 in the majors?
2/1-Kaltica = NOTA
2/1-Spectrum = NOTA
4. What is the strength of 1S:2D:3D? 13-18 or
16-18?
2/1-Kaltica = 16-18
2/1-Spectrum = 16-18
5. What will we do with a flat 18-19 points with a
4-card major after 1D:2C? Bid the major? Rebid
2NT? Rebid 3NT?
2/1-Kaltica = Rebid the major.
2/1-Spectrum = Rebid the major.
6. What will we rebid as Opener with 18-19 points and
3=3=4=3 after 1D:2C? 3C? 2NT? 3NT?
2/1-Kaltica = Rebid 2NT, reserving 3NT for 3=3=5=2.
2/1-Spectrum = Rebid 3NT.
Final Quiz
1. What do you bid as Responder after 1S:2D:2H?
a. S- KJx H- Ax D- KQJxxx C- Ax
b. S- KJx H- xx D- KQJxx C- Axx
c. S- Ax H- xxx D- AQxxx C- KJx
d. S- Ax H- AQx D- KQxxx C- QJx
2. What do you bid as Responder after 1H:2C:2H?
a. S- KQx H- Ax D- xx C- AKQxxx
b. S- KQx H- Ax D- Kx C- AQ10xxx
c. S- xx H- AQx D- xxx C- AKxxx
d. S- Ax H- AQx D- KQx C- KJxxx
3. What do you bid as Opener after: 1S:2D?
a. S- KQJxx H- xx D- Ax C- QJxx
b. S- KQJxx H- x D- Ax C- AQJxx
c. S- Jxxxx H- KQx D- AQxx C- x
d. S- KQJxx H- KQx D- xx C- Axx
e. S- AKxxx H- xxx D- Kx C- Axx
--------------- Last Revised 01-09-1999 ---------------
|
The Spectrum Series, at 8:00 A.M. and 3:00 P.M. PST every second weekday, is a lecture program on the 2/1 Game Forcing system, from Opening Bids all the way through to the conventional aspects of 2/1 GF. Unlike the FireSide and 5th Chair sessions mentioned above, the Spectrum Series is a semi-public lesson program for our students. All are invited to stop by and enjoy these classes.  If you have any questions arising from these notes, or about the Spectrum Lesson Series, please do not hesitate to email me at: cpw@escape.ca |
| |